Israeli Police Seize 380,000 Shekels in Cash Scattered During Raid in Northern Village

Israeli police raided a building in the village of Reineh near Nazareth on Wednesday, discovering hundreds of banknotes scattered across the village alleys, resembling a scene from a Hollywood movie. During the operation, officers collected approximately 380,000 shekels in cash. Seven suspects were arrested on suspicion of possessing weapons and conspiring to commit a crime. Authorities believe the suspects panicked upon seeing the police and threw a bag containing the money from the roof, though not all the cash was recovered.

The raid followed intelligence indicating that young men in the village had armed themselves and planned to harm others amid a criminal dispute. Undercover forces from the Emek region surrounded the site, and detectives spotted the suspects on the roof before police and National Guard fighters stormed the building. During the arrest, officers saw an object thrown from the roof and later found a pistol with a bullet in the chamber, a full magazine, and several hundred banknotes scattered around the premises.

Lieutenant Matan Ezran, head of the Nazareth detective team, described the scene as unprecedented in his years of service. Police also seized five Molotov cocktails, an operational drone, and communication devices near the suspects. Authorities believe the raid prevented another murder in the Arab community. The suspects did not cooperate during questioning and denied any connection to the money.

Defense attorney Wisam Lidawi stated the cash was collected by the extended family to fund a minor's upcoming surgery, with about 70,000 shekels missing. He denied the weapons allegations, asserting his clients were law-abiding and victims of repeated shootings and grenade attacks.